Category: Press

The following is an column written by the Los Angeles Times columnist George Skelton on April 6. To view the original post click here.

The chief argument against raising taxes on motorists to pay for road repairs is that Sacramento Democrats can’t be trusted.

They have a rotten history, Republicans contend, of stealing the drivers’ tax money and spending it on nontransportation goodies.

And that argument is basically bunkum.

It’s a convenient excuse to vote against unpopular tax hikes. It plays well with the public’s perpetual-but-rising mistrust of government. And more than that, it feeds the natural desire of people to make someone else pay for things they want.

Gov. Jerry Brown is trying to patch up roads — and correct past mistakes — before term limits oust him after next year.

Brown admits he didn’t pay enough attention to road construction his first time as governor from 1975 to 1983. In fact, many blame Brown for starting the erosion of our once-superb highway system.

“I didn’t realize how much our roads and infrastructure … cost,” Brown said in a rare gubernatorial appearance before a legislative committee Monday. “Since that time there has been a continued deterioration.”

Brown also noted the irony of it all: “When I was governor [the first time], it was the Republicans who were beating down my door for a gas tax. That time, they wanted to do 5 cents. I said, ‘No, we’ll let you have 2.’ So the shoe is on the other foot now.”

The last time the Legislature raised the gas tax was when a Republican governor, George Deukmejian, pushed for it. That was in 1989. Now there apparently is no Republican in the Capitol who will even think about voting for Brown’s proposed tax hike.

The tax boost roughly a quarter-century ago wasn’t adjustable for inflation, so now it buys about half as much concrete. Also, motorists are pumping fewer gallons because today’s vehicles are more fuel-efficient. Consequently, the state has a huge backlog of needed repairs and not enough money.

“The red line, $8 billion going to $9.2 billion — that is the [annual] needs. Here’s what we’re spending, down here at $2.5 billion. That’s a gap. What I’m telling you is whether you’re a Republican or Democrat, or a man or a woman, that gap is real … a huge gap that is getting bigger. It’s a very simple proposition. Pay now or pay later — and pay a hell of a lot more.”

They want to increase the gas tax by 12 cents per gallon and diesel by 20 cents. They’d hike the diesel sales tax by 4 percentage points. There’d be a new annual fee on vehicles based on their worth, ranging from $25 to $175. And electric cars that don’t burn gas would be assessed $100 annually.

Here’s how all that would be spent: 65% on fixing state and local roads, 20% for transit, a portion for improving truck access around ports and some for bicycle and pedestrian lanes.

Also, there’d be a constitutional amendment to prevent any of that new money from being spent on anything but transportation.

Democrats wanted to get it passed by Thursday before everyone takes off on spring break. Friday is also Brown’s birthday — maybe coincidentally, maybe not. But the tax legislation needs a two-thirds vote in both houses, and passage wasn’t looking very promising late Wednesday. Even some Democrats were holding out, looking for backroom deals.

This is a typical Republican response from Sen. Scott Wilk of Antelope Valley, who represents many long-commuters who buy gas by the barrel:

“Californians already pay the highest taxes in the nation toward our roads, but Democrats in the Legislature have redirected, repurposed and redistributed our money to pork-barrel projects and gubernatorial pipe dreams like high-speed rail, rather than taking action on failing roads.”

OK, one at a time.

California’s combined gas tax and fees ranks eighth in the nation, not first, according to the Federation of Tax Administrators.

No transportation money has been redistributed to high-speed rail. (But, yes, it is a pipe dream.)

As for redirecting the money to “pork-barrel projects,” that’s the real bunkum.

A brief history:

Highway funding had always been financed strictly by user fees — taxes at the pump, truck weight fees, registrations — until 2000. The state was rolling in money so Gov. Gray Davis decided to spend $2 billion from the general fund on one-time transportation projects.

Whoops! The general fund started running short. So two years later, the general fund “borrowed” back $1.2 billion from Caltrans, which got the money as a gift in the first place. The state still owes $706 million. Under Brown’s legislation, it would be paid back in three years.

Then there are the truck weight fees. Lobbied by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, voters in 2006 voted to borrow nearly $20 billion for transportation infrastructure. Those bonds were to be paid off by — big mistake — the general fund, which feeds off income, sales and business taxes.

But when the recession hit and the general fund was bleeding tens of billions in red ink, Democrats grabbed $1 billion annually in weight fees and used the money to repay the transportation bonds. But it was still being spent on transportation.

“We all have our politics, but at some point you have to look truth in the eye,” Brown told committee members.

That’s probably asking way too much these days: To look truth in the eye.

The following is an column written by the Petaluma Argus-Courier staff on April 6. To view the original post click here.

California has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to finally address a problem that has long plagued the state: a shortfall in transportation funding that has led to crumbling and congested roadways.

The root cause of the problem has been well documented. The gasoline tax, which has traditionally provided ample funding to fix roads, repair bridges and expand highway capacity, has not been raised in more than two decades. Combine that with vehicles that are more fuel efficient or that don’t use any gas at all, and the problem has compounded.

Last week, Governor Jerry Brown introduced a plan to raise the gas tax by 12 cents per gallon, increase vehicle registration fees and charge zero-emission vehicle drivers an annual $100 fee. All of this would raise an estimated $5 billion per year, which would be distributed to counties and cities that are strapped to fix their own roads.

Petaluma, which has some of the worst streets in the Bay Area, would stand to receive $1.3 million annually for street repair. Sonoma County would get $12.3 million to fix its crumbling rural road network.

About $2 billion annually would go to the state highway system, and Sonoma County should certainly have claim to some of those funds. Widening the Highway 101 bottleneck through Petaluma remains $85 million short. Even more daunting, Highway 37 could cost taxpayers billions of dollars to widen and elevate above expected sea level rise. Even with a proposed public-private partnership to rebuild a portion of Highway 37 and elevate it with a causeway, the entire route could use an infusion of the gas tax funds.

The transportation bill is not a panacea, however. The state’s transportation infrastructure is in such disrepair that this proposal, while helpful, will not completely do the job. There will still be future need for local transportation funding measures.

The funding proposal needs a two-thirds majority vote in the legislature to pass, which Democrats could do without any Republican support. This plan, however, requires that every Democrat falls in line, and some are on the fence.

Of Petaluma’s two state legislators, Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, is fully committed to this tax increase. In fact, he is a co-sponsor of the legislation, SB1. Assemblyman Marc Levine, D-San Rafael, did not immediately come out in favor of the proposal, saying he needed more time to read the legislation.

Levine’s vote is needed to pass SB1. The Petaluma City Council wrote Levine a letter encouraging him to vote in favor of the bill. Voters should tell him that this is an important piece of legislation, and one that he should support. Levine’s office can be reached at 916-319-2010, or assemblymember.levine@assembly.ca.gov.

The following is an editorial submitted to the San Jose Mercury News written by Greg Becker, CEO of Silicon Valley Bank and board chair of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group and Celeste Ford, founder and CEO of Stellar Solutions.on April 4. To view the original post click here.

They wrote this for The Mercury News.

There’s an old saying: pay now or pay later.

When it comes to the crumbling conditions of our local roads and state highways, we should change the saying to pave now or pave later.

Strap on your seat belts, because here are the numbers, and they’re grim: Each year, California is short nearly $6 billion of the funds needed just to repair and repave our 50,000 miles of state highways. The annual need is $8 billion. California’s gas tax, our traditional source of road repair revenue, can only fund $2.2 billion. Our local streets and roads are even worse, with a 10-year shortfall exceeding $78 billion.

In fact, our state highways and local roads have deteriorated so much that — on average — each of us as motorists pays $762 annually in excess gas and vehicle wear-and-tear. In the most recent storm, California highways and roads were damaged with more than $1 billion in additional, unplanned, emergency repairs.

It’s why, as members of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, we’ve joined 95 other small and large Silicon Valley-based employers to support Gov. Jerry Brown’s efforts to pass Sen. Jim Beall’s SB 1, the Road Repair & Accountability Act of 2017. SB 1 is a balanced combination of necessary revenue and needed reforms to ensure we have more money for traffic relief, while also using our existing dollars as cost effectively as possible. To further ensure accountability, SB 1 is accompanied by a constitutional amendment to ensure funds cannot be diverted from the transportation improvements in SB 1.

We can’t just address pothole repairs. We must also tackle the traffic tie-ups that have strangled Bay Area commutes. The Bay Area is home to two of the five most congested traffic corridors in the United States, like Highway 101 through Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Francisco counties. SB 1 focuses $2.5 billion for improvements in California’s key corridors, which could include upgrades to Caltrain Commuter Rail Service, express lanes, bike/pedestrian options in neighboring streets and other forms of congestion relief. The measure also provides capital and operating funds for transit, which could provide the state share to improve and extend BART, buses, express buses, and ferries across the San Francisco Bay.

Do we really need more revenue? Consider this: Transportation funding hasn’t increased in California in 23 years, since Republican Gov. George Deukmejian championed our last gas tax increase in 1994. Since it wasn’t adjusted for inflation, and with the improved fuel efficiency our cars now enjoy, our gas tax has lost well over half its purchasing power during a time when our state’s population has increased by nearly 8 million people.

SB 1 recognizes that with better roads, we all benefit, so we all should contribute. About two-thirds of the revenue would be generated from the fuel taxes each of us pay as users of our roads. Since more and more cars are running without any gas at all, SB 1 includes a modest zero-emission vehicle fee so that nobody gets a free ride. Finally, a transportation improvement fee — based on the value of our vehicles — rounds out the funding needed. For those of us driving high-end cars, we pay more. For a senior or student on modest means in an older car, they pay less.

Here’s our challenge. If you think the gridlock on Bay Area roads is bad, it pales in comparison to the gridlock that can grip our state capitol. The members of our State Assembly and Senate need to hear from each of us. For better roads, more transit and traffic relief, call your legislator today. Go to http://www.fixroads.com/call/

Cities, counties, local and statewide businesses and labor groups, transportation leaders and newspaper editorial boards from across California are supporting the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 – SB 1, co-authored by Senator Jim Beall (D-San Jose) and Assemblymember Jim L. Frazier Jr. (D-Discovery Bay) – which invests $52.4 billion over the next decade to fix roads, freeways and bridges in communities across California and put more dollars toward transit and safety. Here’s what they’re saying:

Business and Labor Leaders

California Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Allan Zaremberg: “This is a responsible investment. The public and our economy will be the beneficiaries”

“Asking Californians to pay more is not something the Chamber of Commerce does lightly, or frequently. But in this case, it is the most prudent course of action…The basic principle that those who use the roads should help maintain them is one that was embraced by Ronald Reagan and George Deukmejian. President Reagan pushed for a hike in the federal gas tax and Gov. Deukmejian took similar action on the state level in 1990. Investing in transportation improvements will save taxpayers money in the long run…Fixing our roads and transportation systems is an investment in our future that will help our economy grow, and improve the quality of life for California residents and businesses. This is a responsible investment. The public and our economy will be the beneficiaries of a comprehensive funding solution. (3/31/17)

Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Chair Steve Nissen: “raising revenue to support our transportation infrastructure is a very worthwhile investment”

“Transportation infrastructure is important to a healthy economy from commuting to and from work, to providing access to business establishments, to the essential business of moving goods which benefits everyone. This is why California’s business community believes raising revenue to support our transportation infrastructure is a very worthwhile investment. You know the business community keeps an eye on ROI, return on investment. This is a great return on investment because for every one dollar spent on roads, highway and bridge improvements, the result is a $5.20 benefit to Californians in lower car repairs, lower road maintenance costs, better fuel consumption and improved road safety. We are California. We can do this, we should do this, we really must do this.” (3/20/17)

Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Donna Duperron: “Torrance Chamber supports SB 1 so that area businesses can continue to excel at providing the goods, people, and the services that our economy requires”

“California’s crumbling transportation network has been faced with physical and financial challenges for too long. Torrance businesses require – and deserve – an efficient transportation system to succeed and prosper in today’s economy. The Torrance Chamber supports SB 1 so that area businesses can continue to excel at providing the goods, people, and the services that our economy requires.” (4/3/17)

Bay Area Council President and CEO Jim Wunderman: “We need this bill. It doesn’t just fix potholes, it has essential funds for traffic relief”

“In the Bay Area, we are either jammed in traffic or having our teeth rattled by pothole-infested roads and highways. We need this bill. It doesn’t just fix potholes, it has essential funds for traffic relief in our region on places like Highway 101 and 680. Our elected leaders should vote yes.” (3/29/17)

Bay Area Council Senior Vice President for Transportation Policy Michael Cunningham: “The longer we wait to fix the small problems, the bigger and more expensive they become.”

“Legislature urgently needs to pass a transportation funding package in 2017 to address the billions in backlogged maintenance needs that have led to potholes, deteriorating roads, bridges and transit systems across our region and the state. The longer we wait to fix the small problems, the bigger and more expensive they become. In fact, it costs eight times more to fix a road than to maintain it.” (2/12/17)

“It’s time for a Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid moment – I’ll jump if you jump,” “When it comes to transportation improvements, Democrats often call for additional revenue. Republicans often call for additional reforms. The fact is, we need both, and we need both sides of the aisle to recognize that reality and move this legislation to the Governor’s desk.” (3/29/17)

Orange County Business Council President and CEO Lucy Dunn: “We thank Governor Brown and legislative leaders for hearing our concerns.”

“This is a critical moment for Californians. No one disputes that the state’s transportation system is in disrepair. The Council has long advocated that any new funding measures must come hand in hand with strong accountability measures and reforms. We thank Governor Brown and legislative leaders for hearing our concerns.” (3/29/17)

Orange County Business Council Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Bryan Starr: “Moderate increases will reduce costs for motorists in California”

“Our coalition supports legislation which would enact strong accountability measures to ensure that our dollars are spent efficiently, while also providing long-term funding for transportation through a combination of moderate fees and gas taxes of a few dollars a month. In the end, moderate increases will reduce costs for motorists in California who pay almost $800 annually in repairs to their vehicles from driving on bad roads, which pencils out to over $60 per month…situation is too dire for the problem to be fixed with accountability reforms alone…the time has come for the Legislature to step up and urgently pass a transportation funding package (3/26/17)

State Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO President Robbie Hunter: “This forward thinking investment will create tens of thousands of good paying jobs”

“SB 1 will help all Californians, especially working families that have to navigate our dilapidated and congested roads and mass transit systems daily. This forward thinking investment will create tens of thousands of good paying jobs, make our roads more accessible and safer while protecting the General Fund from having to cover the high costs of emergency replacement and repairs of bridges and roads.” (4/3/17)

Associated General Contractors of California CEO Tom Holsman: “plan strategically aligns with our industry’s efforts to address the backlog of projects and secures future revenue that will be used for its stated purpose”

“The plan strategically aligns with our industry’s efforts to address the backlog of projects and secures future revenue that will be used for its stated purpose. Let’s not further delay; Urge Legislators to pass this package.” (4/3/17)

“We are fully committed to supporting the road repair plan and intend to get it and the companion constitutional protection through the Legislature by April 6. We need new revenue coupled with accountably provisions to begin to make a dent in the multi-billion dollar backlog of needed repairs to state highways and local roads. With strong protections that dedicate this revenue toward fixing the roads, this is a smart and responsible investment legislators should support.” (3/29/17)

United Contractors Executive Vice President Emily Cohen: “This is the right thing for California’s economy, for our safety, and for the quality of life of every California family”

“Legislative inaction is hamstringing our economy and harming our quality of life. It’s time to invest. The transportation funding and reform proposal introduced today is a balanced package of needed revenue and smart reforms to more efficiently invest in California’s roads, bridges, neighborhood streets, and public transit systems. ..Although a tax increase is never an easy thing, it is absolutely necessary to repair and rebuild our state’s crumbling infrastructure. In addition to being a user-based fee system, the bill ensures that the funds are dedicated to transportation purposes and creates essential accountability, oversight and regulatory reforms that are important to our industry. This is the right thing for California’s economy, for our safety, and for the quality of life of every California family. Now it’s time for members of the legislature to step up, face the challenge, and show true leadership by supporting this investment package.” (3/29/17)

“Lawmakers need to pass this bill immediately. The Legislature has not raised revenue to address transportation needs in more than two decades – since George Deukmejian was governor…This deal provides funding for road improvement projects in every community in California. It also includes $7.5 billion for public transportation, which can help communities reduce air pollution and meet our state’s ambitious clean-air goals…This new public investment will improve the safety and quality of life for our residents, and allow California to continue to lead the way toward a better future.” (3/31/17)

“This proposal clearly demonstrates California’s commitment to clean, sustainable transportation, and the role that public transit plays in that vision…this proposal acknowledges the importance of public transit in achieving the 21st century transportation network that Californians need and deserve.” (3/29/17)

“This is what real leadership looks like. The state has kicked the can down the proverbial road for a full generation, during which time some of our rural roads have started returning to gravel. The governor, Senate and Assembly leaders and State Transportation Agency secretary Brian Kelly all had a lot of heavy lifting to do, and they’ve done it. Now we’ll see if our crumbling pavement, crawling traffic and corroding transit infrastructure will spur the rest of our legislators to do some heavy lifting of their own.” (3/29/17)

“The poor state of our roads is why we’ve joined with other businesses, local governments, labor leaders and many others in urging the California Legislature to urgently pass a transportation funding package…It has been 23 years since California has increased funding for transportation. As a result, road repairs now receive only 50 percent of the funding they did back in1994…Just ask any contractor, or any motorist how urgent this problem has become. It’s past time for our legislators to do something to fix our roads. The time to act is now” (2/17/17)

Newspaper Editorial Boards and Opinion

LA Times: Skelton: Legislation “deserves passage. Our cars need help”

“This measure isn’t perfect, but it deserves passage. Our cars need help. And it’s a pay-as-you-go plan. No borrowing. No bonds that double the sticker price with interest payments.” (4/3/17)

LA Daily News: “If we let our roads and highways keep deteriorating, our economy eventually will fall into a sinkhole”

“It’s been 23 years since gas taxes were raised, and if the tax had been indexed to inflation, it would be higher now than the governor’s proposal will make it…The package includes a constitutional amendment to be passed by voters to require that all the money is spent as promised…These tax hikes are essentially user fees, and that’s better than the typical approach to taxes in the state. And paying as we go is better than borrowing…If we let our roads and highways keep deteriorating, our economy eventually will fall into a sinkhole…this is a case where we have to swallow hard and pay” (4/1/17)

SF Chronicle: “state can’t somehow meet its massive transportation needs with money hiding in the corners of the state budget”

“A plan to raise $52 billion over a decade for roads, bridges, and mass transit reflects a big, ugly bill that Californians have little choice but to pay…Given that the state can’t somehow meet its massive transportation needs with money hiding in the corners of the state budget, as Brown noted, the most responsible way to do so is by charging the motorists who use the infrastructure.” (3/30/17)

Sac Bee: Editorial: “Gridlock and potholes vex regardless of party”

“Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic legislators on Wednesday announced a 10-year, $52.4 billion freeway repair and construction deal, and business and labor leaders have been quick to applaud, rightly…includes safeguards, and voters would get a chance to approve a measure that locks in money for transportation…No Republican legislator is backing the deal openly, which is unfortunate. Gridlock and potholes vex regardless of party…we already pay dearly in wasted traffic time and damage from bumps in the roads. (3/29/17)

Sac Bee: Walters: Legislation “maintains the fundamental user-pays principle of transportation financing, which Republicans have, for some reason, been willing to abandon”

“Capping years of effort, Brown, Democratic legislators, and business, labor and civic groups unveiled this week a package…the plan would, if enacted, finally do something about the state’s pavement conditions, considered some of the nation’s second worst, which Brown correctly likens to fixing a home’s leaky roof…The package also maintains the fundamental user-pays principle of transportation financing, which Republicans have, for some reason, been willing to abandon.” (3/30/17)

“We need our roads fixed yesterday, and these proposed taxes would undoubtedly do it, quickly. Even the tax-averse California Chamber of Commerce agrees: ‘Raising additional revenues for transportation will not be an easy vote when the time comes,’ Chamber CEO Allan Zaremberg said in a statement, ‘but doing nothing will only ensure deterioration in the system necessary to move people and goods.’” (3/30/17)

“As Brown said, providing decent roads is government’s “most core function.” Their case appears strong…Most importantly, Brown has included a constitutional amendment in the proposal to ensure new revenue would go only to transportation projects.” (3/30/17)

Cities and Counties

League of California Cities President and Lodi City Council Member JoAnne Mounce: “Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 will have a lasting impact on Californians for generations.”

“After years of discussion, debate and negotiation on transportation, our Governor and legislative leaders have made monumental progress with the crafting of this agreement. Their commitment in making transportation a priority and coming together on the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 will have a lasting impact on Californians for generations. The League and the cities of California are ready to get to work on our streets and begin fixing many years of deferred maintenance.” (3/29/17)

California State Association of Counties Second Vice President and Humboldt County Supervisor Virginia Bass: “This will allow counties to make much-needed repairs to improve the safety and efficiency of our local transportation systems”

“Transportation funding has been a county priority for more than three years, so we are gratified to see this legislation gaining traction. We understand the next few days will be critical and legislators should rest assured that members of the Fix Our Roads coalition support this package, and we will stand behind legislators who vote for it. This will allow counties to make much-needed repairs to improve the safety and efficiency of our local transportation systems.” (3/29/17)

South Bay Cities Council of Governments Executive Director Jacki Bacharach: “maintaining a healthy transportation network is critical to our regional economy and will help us meet our future sustainability goals”

“The South Bay is strategically located between the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and the Los Angeles International Airport. These facilities benefit our region by providing an influx of goods and tourism, but they strain our local transportation infrastructure and show the limits of our current transportation funding. The South Bay Cities Council of Governments supports SB 1, because maintaining a healthy transportation network is critical to our regional economy and will help us meet our future sustainability goals.” (4/3/17)

Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Chair and Goleta City Council Member Michael T. Bennett: “Restoration of STIP funds will allow the Santa Barbara Association of Governments and the member agencies to leverage regional Measure A transportation sales tax dollars”

“Restoration of STIP funds will allow the Santa Barbara Association of Governments and the member agencies to leverage regional Measure A transportation sales tax dollars to construct high-occupancy vehicle lanes on the frequently gridlocked U.S. I01 in south Santa Barbara County. U.S. 101 is our highest regional transportation priority. U.S. 101 is one of only two highways connecting Southern California to the Bay area and is a critical economic link for goods movement from our region to the rest of the country.” (3/31/17)

“The City of Santa Barbara is in dire need of additional funding to maintain its streets, sidewalks and related infrastructure. The pavement condition index in Santa Barbara is 61 and declining rapidly. The City estimates the funding gap for street infrastructure to be approximately $17 million per year. Any additional funding received from new revenue sources will go directly to improving the pavement condition, repairing sidewalks, and maintaining traffic safety infrastructure such as traffic lights and street lights.” (4/3/17)

“We have a very simple message for Sacramento: It’s time to fix our streets. Los Angeles and cities throughout California are counting on the Legislature to act by April 6 and pass legislation that would allow the state to begin investing the billions of dollars we need to fix crumbling roads, bridges, and infrastructure that millions of Californians use every day. Our safety, economy, and quality of life depend on it.” (4/3/17)

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo: “We need the state legislature to approve this critical investment in our transportation infrastructure”

“Every dollar we invest in basic road maintenance today will save us $4 in the future to repair a failed road. We need the state legislature to approve this critical investment in our transportation infrastructure, and I’d like to thank Gov. Brown, Sen. Beall and Assemblymember Frazier for their continued commitment to fixing our aging and deteriorating roads.” (4/3/17)

“I fully endorse the comprehensive transportation funding proposal announced today by Governor Brown and leaders in the California State Legislature…When Californians are able to travel efficiently and safely, it benefits our economy, our environment, and the overall quality of life standards of our state. This bill reflects a landmark commitment to make responsible investments in our infrastructure…I appreciate the determination of our Governor and legislators in Sacramento to come up with a transportation funding package that proves California is ready to invest in a brighter future.” (3/29/17)

Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chair Federal D. Glover: “Contra Costa County is depending on a solution at the state level in order to close a $7.9 million budget gap.”

“Contra Costa County is depending on a solution at the state level in order to close a $7.9 million budget gap. The County has struggled to maintain safe, well-maintained roads during a time when revenues are declining due to the increase in fuel-efficient and electric vehicles and the purchasing power of the unit based gas tax is half of what is was when it was established in 1994. Our Public Works Department has a short term list of 11 major projects that will have to be deferred, on top of a reduction in maintenance activities, unless a solution is identified. The more long term scenario is substantially bleak.” (4/3/17)

Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty: “Without an immediate investment of new revenue, the County’s local streets and roads infrastructure will continue to decline, which only increases the cost burden on future tax payers”

“In Alameda County, we have $170 million in deferred maintenance needs for 2018. This figure is expected to increase significantly in future years under the current budget assumptions. Almost one third of Alameda County’s local streets and roads are in poor or very poor condition. This is the result of limited transportation funding resulting in continued deferred maintenance of needed roadway treatments. Without an immediate investment of new revenue, the County’s local streets and roads infrastructure will continue to decline, which only increases the cost burden on future tax payers.” (3/31/17)

Alpine County Board of Supervisors Chair Terry Woodrow: “current trend of reduced revenues for transportation…will result in significant adverse impacts to public safety, convenience of the travelling public and our local economy”

“Reductions in funding available to local agencies has resulted in our county reducing its road maintenance crew to only four full time positions. There is no funding for pavement treatments. Consequently our road maintenance effort can best be described as triage – responding to emergencies that need immediate attention and using our limited resources to try and keep the pavement from completely failing. If the current trend of reduced revenues for transportation continues our pavements will eventually fail and we will have to cut back maintenance efforts even further. This will result in significant adverse impacts to public safety, convenience of the travelling public and our local economy.” (3/31/17)

Mendocino County Board of Supervisors Chair John McCowen: “SB 1 would allow us to reinvest in our existing infrastructure.”

“The County of Mendocino’s local streets and roads are in poor condition and are facing an unmet need of $625 million according to the statewide needs assessment. Without an immediate investment of new revenue into the system, our infrastructure will continue to decline, which will only increases the cost burden on future tax payers. SB 1 would allow us to reinvest in our existing infrastructure. Mendocino County would be able to bring our infrastructure into good condition, by applying pavement preservation treatments to 300 miles of road, paving 150 miles of road, and repairing 21 bridges and other much-needed maintenance and improvements.” (3/31/17)

“Monterey County maintains more than 1,200 miles of roadway and 173 bridges – a significant majority of which were rated as in “poor” condition in the recent Statewide Local Streets and Road Assessment report. As of December 2016, Monterey County’s maintenance backlog was more than $750 million. Damage due to the 2016 Soberanes Fire and 2016-17 Winter Storms added an additional $50 million in damages to County roadways. Without adequate maintenance and rehabilitation funds, repair costs will continue to increase exponentially.” (3/31/17)

Santa Clara Board of Supervisors President Dave Cortese: “SB 1 would assist our County in addressing both a maintenance backlog and the ongoing operating and maintenance needs of our roadways”

“The County has exhausted its Road Fund reserves, which were used over the last five years to cover the shortfall between the gas tax revenue and operating/maintenance costs. Consequently, the County no longer has sufficient resources to perform pavement, traffic signal, and other infrastructure maintenance, and, in general, to ensure the safe and efficient operations of the expressway and unincorporated road systems. The receipt of funds through SB 1 would assist our County in addressing both a maintenance backlog and the ongoing operating and maintenance needs of our roadways.” (3/31/17)

Yolo County Supervisor Oscar Villegas: “Well maintained and modern road infrastructure ensures the continued viability and sustainability of our agricultural economy”

“Within Yolo County there are hundreds of road miles that need major repairs and improvements in order to keep up with increased usage, in addition to new infrastructure needs. Well maintained and modern road infrastructure ensures the continued viability and sustainability of our agricultural economy. Road infrastructure between rural and urban areas supports agribusiness’ ability to quickly and safely move agricultural products to value-adding processing facilities and ultimately to local, domestic, and international markets.” (3/31/17)

Arroyo Grande Mayor Jim Hill: “Arroyo Grande, like most municipal agencies has a backlog of road maintenance and improvement projects including roads requiring substantial rehabilitation as well as ongoing pavement resurfacing needs”

“The City of Arroyo Grande, like most municipal agencies has a backlog of road maintenance and improvement projects including roads requiring substantial rehabilitation as well as ongoing pavement resurfacing needs. Additionally, this transportation funding is needed for the Brisco Road at Highway 101 Interchange project which our local Council of Governments has identified as a high priority improvement in our region.” (3/31/17)

Belvedere Mayor James Campbell: “We are in critical need of funding to maintain streets”

“In Belvedere, we are in critical need of funding to maintain streets that, being a predominantly island city, provide the only daily and emergency vehicle access and egress for our residents. We would use funding to stabilize, shore up and repave our lagoon and hillside roadways that are suffering from deteriorating sub-grade conditions. Additional work will be necessary to protect our public roadways from rising sea level.” (3/31/17)

Ceres Mayor Chris Vierra: “The current street network has a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of 64 and is forecast to drop to 52 over the next ten years without significant investment.”

“The City of Ceres has a substantial investment in the critical infrastructure of local streets and roads valued in excess of $169 million. The current street network has a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of 64 and is forecast to drop to 52 over the next ten years without significant investment. The unfunded maintenance backlog is currently over $10 million and would grow to over $63 million in ten years.” (3/31/17)

Chino Mayor Eunice M. Ulloa: “This bill will greatly assist the City of Chino by affording us the opportunity to receive funding that will enhance the ability to maintain our critical infrastructure.”

“Located along the 60 Interstate Freeway, the City serves as a corridor from The Greater Los Angeles area and Ports. This includes the mass distribution of goods from our warehouses that serve the Western States. Though the city is tenacious in maintaining our streets, the consistent use of trucks has led to a continuous pattern of scheduling improvements of our roads to ensure they retain the highest standard. Moreover, our region has experience tremendous population growth. This has led to an increased traffic flow through our City. Undoubtedly, this will have significant impacts to the quality of our streets. This bill will greatly assist the City of Chino by affording us the opportunity to receive funding that will enhance the ability to maintain our critical infrastructure.” (3/31/17)

Concord Mayor Laura Hoffmeister: “SB 1 would significantly increase the City’s budget to repair and maintain our roadways, improving the local roadways that our residents and visitors use every day.”

“The funding available to help maintain the roadways in the City of Concord has been limited and roadway conditions continue to decline. As noted in the California Statewide Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment prepared by NCE, the roadways in the City of Concord are considered “At Risk”. Approximately $90 million is needed to bring our roads to “Good” condition. Additional funding would also be needed to maintain the rating, once achieved. The funds made available through SB 1 would significantly increase the City’s budget to repair and maintain our roadways, improving the local roadways that our residents and visitors use every day. Additionally, SB 1 will help fund the implementation of needed bikeway and other Complete Street improvements in the City.” (3/31/17)

Crescent City Mayor Blake Inscore: “We, in Crescent City, are in urgent need of funding to support our deteriorating transportation infrastructure”

“We, in Crescent City, are in urgent need of funding to support our deteriorating transportation infrastructure. A 2011 inventory of our city streets revealed that 44% were in need of capital preventative maintenance and an additional 13% were in dire need of structural improvements. This data has been supported with multiple failed roadways during this year’s winter storms including the passage of two Declared Emergencies. Estimates to provide the required improvements exceed $30 million; a difficult feat for a small town with General Fund expenditures of $5.2 million.” (3/31/17)

Davis Mayor Robb Davis: “Addressing the current condition of certain roads and bike lanes now will save millions of dollars in the long run”

“Although the City of Davis has allocated millions of General Fund dollars in the annual budget to address transportation infrastructure improvements, this area remains one of the City’s largest unfunded priorities. The community’s average pavement condition index currently sits at a 63; without adequate investment, that percentage will decline to unacceptable and unsafe levels. Addressing the current condition of certain roads and bike lanes now will save millions of dollars in the long run.” (3/31/17)

Gonzales Mayor Maria Orozco: “The proposed legislation will improve the ability to address some of these needs”

“Gonzales recently completed a pavement management plan that shows a need for $15.7 million dollars to bring the approximately 20 miles of roadways in our community to good condition if spent in the current year. The plan shows the average Pavement Condition Index (as determined by the federal guidelines from the Army Corps of Engineers) is 60 out of 100 with main arteries much lower. Furthermore, Gonzales has three primary entrances from the freeway. Two of which need over $20 million apiece to improve. These projects will take years to improve. The proposed legislation will improve the ability to address some of these needs.” (3/31/17)

Grass Valley Mayor Howard Levine: “As the economic hub center of Western Nevada County, updated and well-maintained road systems are necessary vital resources for the City of Grass Valley”

“SB 1 would provide much needed funding and transportation reform towards the local streets and roads infrastructure used every day in the City of Grass Valley. As the economic center of Western Nevada County, updated and well-maintained road systems are necessary vital resources for the City of Grass Valley’s residents, business owners and tourists alike.” (3/31/17)

“SB 1 funding would help the City of Gustine meet the maintenance needs of our aging local streets and roads. The current condition of streets and roads in the City of Gustine is poor to fair condition, and without adequate funding deterioration is rapidly occurring on our local streets and roads. Funds to maintain roadways would preserve roadways and eliminate the expensive need to repave in the future. Funds will be used to repave local streets in very poor condition and maintain roadways in fair or good condition.” (3/31/17)

Indio Mayor Elaine Holmes: “Delaying improvements will only make road repairs more expensive in the future”

“In the City of Indio, approximately $6 million per year is needed to properly maintain our city’s 172 miles of streets. We need to fix pot holes and make road improvements for the safety of motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Delaying improvements will only make road repairs more expensive in the future. It is also vital that state Highway 111 and Interstate 10 be improved for safety and traffic flow since nearly 1.4 million visitors come to the City of Indio every year for our world-renown festivals and events. This will also help accommodate the City of Indio’s current and future economic development and population growth, which is expected to increase from 100,000 in 2020 to 170,000 in 2035.” (3/31/17)

King City Mayor Mike LeBarre: Legislation “could be instrumental in achieving the City’s goal of addressing serious deficiencies of the City’s street system”

“This bill would provide important revenue to King City to assist in funding ongoing paving projects, a proposed roundabout project necessary to address a substantial circulation problem, and other transportation and street infrastructure needs. It could be instrumental in achieving the City’s goal of addressing serious deficiencies of the City’s street system.” (3/31/17)

Modesto Mayor Ted Brandvold: “City of Modesto has more than $300 Million in deferred maintenance costs and that figure continues to rise”

“The City of Modesto currently maintains 615 centerline miles of pavement. Our average pavement condition index is 59. With current funding levels, this number is projected to drop to 45 within the next 10 years. More than 10% of our streets are failed and require complete reconstruction. The City of Modesto has more than $300 Million in deferred maintenance costs and that figure continues to rise. Within 20 years the deferred maintenance cost is project to exceed $1 Billion if additional funding is not secured.” (3/31/17)

Moraga Mayor Teresa Onoda: “In addition to pavement needs, more funding is needed for other transportation and infrastructure projects.”

“In order to maintain our Pavement Condition Index over the remaining life of our sales tax, an annual amount of $2.1 million is needed, far greater than what our tax will generate. In addition to pavement needs, more funding is needed for other transportation and infrastructure projects.” (3/31/17)

“Our state’s economy, and the prosperity of cities like Ontario, depends heavily on upon a reliable road system. But, by all accounts, California’s transportation infrastructure system is crumbling, and in desperate need of repair. Senate Bill 1 is a carefully crafted attempt to raise new funding while ensuring that existing funding be better utilized for transportation purposes.” (3/31/17)

San Gabriel City Manager Steven A. Preston: “With stagnant and declining gas tax revenues in the future, this situation will only become worse.”

“The inconsistency of revenue streams, the loss of redevelopment, and reductions in federal Block Grant funding have affected our ability to deliver timely rehabilitation and repair. With stagnant and declining gas tax revenues in the future, this situation will only become worse.” (3/31/17)

Santa Cruz Mayor Cynthia Chase: “we certainly appreciate whatever additional funds the State could funnel to the local agencies for maintenance of arterial and collector streets.”

“The current backlog of deferred maintenance for the transportation network within the City is approximately $40 million. While we understand that there is no magic formula to alleviate this, we certainly appreciate whatever additional funds the State could funnel to the local agencies for maintenance of arterial and collector streets.” (3/31/17)

Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs: “Stockton currently has $224 million in unfunded transportation infrastructure projects that are fundamental to safety, commerce and development in our community.”

“In addition to maintenance and repair needs, Stockton currently has $224 million in unfunded transportation infrastructure projects that are fundamental to safety, commerce and development in our community. Without additional funding sources, these critical projects will be delayed long into the future.” (3/31/17)

Tracy City Manager Troy Brown: “Additional transportation dollars could be used for freeway interchanges, highway improvements, creation of railroad grade separations and to support local streets and roads which are grossly underfunded.”

“The City of Tracy boasts a strategic position in the region, with easy access to the Ports of Stockton and Oakland, as well as having quick access to San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose airports. Over 70,000 vehicle trips per day traverse the City as goods and people move to points west {across the Altamont Pass) and east to Interstate 5 where access to all points across the West Coast are possible. Additional transportation dollars could be used for freeway interchanges, highway improvements, creation of railroad grade separations and to support local streets and roads which are grossly underfunded. The City of Tracy would allocate any additional monies toward three freeway interchange improvement, maintenance of our existing 545 roadway network which currently has a Pavement Condition Index rating of 72.” (3/31/17)

Tulare Mayor Carlton Jones: “As the condition of these roads continues to decrease, the future cost of repairs necessary to return them to good condition increases exponentially.”

“The City of Tulare currently receives approximately $1.3 million of funding annually through the Highway Users Tax Account, which falls well short of the approximately $5 million needed to maintain our street network in an overall “good” condition. The Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of our network is currently 57 which falls within the lower end of the range used to define the “good” condition category. Due to the shortage of funding available for pavement management activities, the City of Tulare has focused its maintenance efforts on our arterial and collector roadway network, as these are of the greatest importance to regional mobility and economic development. As a result, the condition of our local (residential) street network has steadily declined from a PCI 61 in 2010 to a PCI of 53 in 2016. As the condition of these roads continues to decrease, the future cost of repairs necessary to return them to good condition increases exponentially.” (3/31/17)

“I’m here because our constituents deserve streets and roads they can use to get to work and to school without dodging potholes and risking damage to their vehicles. Maintaining transportation infrastructure is a core function of our local government. Yet in my city and cities across California, that investment has declined in recent years due to a lack of action in Sacramento. That’s why it’s critical that the legislature act to inject funding into our network of roads by passing a funding bill by April 6 this year.” (3/20/17)

Perris City Council Member Tonya Burke: “plan includes smart, targeted investments that will produce results for the people of Riverside County and will save local taxpayers millions of dollars into the future”

“This much-needed investment will help our economy stay on track, and give Riverside residents the transportation support we so desperately need for our growing region…No matter what anyone says, there’s simply not enough money in the state general fund to make a dent in the backlog…This compromise plan includes smart, targeted investments that will produce results for the people of Riverside County and will save local taxpayers millions of dollars into the future… I invite Sen. Roth and Assembly Members Cervantes and Medina to stand boldly with myself and other local leaders in the Inland region, to help bring California’s crumbling roadways into the 21st Century. (3/31/17)

Riverside County Board of Supervisors Chair John F. Tavaglione and Vice Chair Chuck Washington: “We all pay, the more they delay.”

“In Riverside County, we have dozens of road projects that have been backlogged because of lack of immediate funding such as the Market Street Bridge reconstruction, Mission Boulevard Bridge reconstruction, Hamner Avenue Bridge reconstruction and the Limonite/15 Freeway Interchange reconstruction. Completion of these projects and many others on the list will improve commute times and residents’ quality of life. That’s why we strongly support…long-term transportation reform and funding packages that contain new revenues to make road safety improvements, fill potholes and repair local streets, highways, bridges and overpasses…We all pay, the more they delay.” (2/10/17)

“The plan announced earlier this week would mean that drivers in California pay about $10 more per month. That small amount every month makes sense to me as a smart investment because driving on bad roads means I pay far more than that to fix and maintain my personal vehicle and the trucks I use in my farming business…If we fix our roads, I won’t have to fix my vehicles as often, and neither will you. The deal just announced this week by Gov. Jerry Brown and several key lawmakers achieves that goal…The plan will generate tens of millions of dollars of new revenue each year so Stanislaus County and our city governments can make road safety improvements, fill potholes and repair local streets, highways, bridges and overpasses. All for about $10 a month. I think it’s worth it (3/3017)

Walnut Creek Mayor Richard G. Carlston: “we still need further assistance to bridge funding shortfalls to maintain our roads at their current levels”

“Here in Walnut Creek, 125,000 vehicles drive through our City per day on just two of our arterial roads: Ygnacio Valley Road and Treat Blvd, more than Highway 4. We place a high priority on the maintenance of our 218 miles of roads and transportation infrastructure, spending $2.3 million per year. Nevertheless, we still need further assistance to bridge funding shortfalls to maintain our roads at their current levels.” (3/31/17)

“Funding from SB 1 will help lo improve Waterford’s existing infrastructure and improve neighborhoods, provide transit system preservation and improvements, reduce traffic congestion, help to provide funding for point-to-point services for seniors, veterans and people with disabilities, improve safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians and will help to promote economic development.” (3/31/17)

Yreka Mayor Joan Freeman Smith: “funding for state highway projects is also of critical concern to the community.”

“Recent financial events have pushed off funding repair projects such as those already in the pipeline, much less the streets that desperately need repair beyond that. Without funding for repair the average Yreka Street will have a PCI of 39 by 2020. A PCI of 39 is the breakpoint for full reconstruction, the most costly method of repair. The financial lifeblood of our community is dependent on Interstate 5 as well as Highway 3, which is also our Main Street, so funding for state highway projects is also of critical concern to the community.” (3/31/17)

The following is an editorial written by the Los Angeles Daily News editorial board on April 1. To view the original post click here.

Gov. Brown’s package of tax hikes to fund road repairs is tough medicine to take, but we might just have to take it, at least in part.

We certainly can’t let California’s freeways, roads and bridges become even more run-down or unsafe. Something must be done, but it must be done in a prudent fashion.

Brown and Democratic legislative leaders have proposed $5.2 billion a year in additional gas taxes and car fees to fix the state’s lackluster roads. Over the next decade, $15 billion would go to local road repairs, and the same amount to state highway repairs, plus $4 billion for bridge and culverts, $5.5 billion to improve trade corridors and major commuting corridors, and $7.5 billion to improve local public transportation.

The proposal would increase the base excise tax on gasoline by 12 cents per gallon, from 18 cents to 30 cents. A separate price-based excise tax on gasoline would rise from 11.8 cents to 17.23 cents and would be indexed to inflation to rise in future years. A new fee on vehicles would average $48 per year, based on the value of the car. Drivers of electric cars would pay an annual $100 fee.

That’s a steep price for drivers and truckers. But, here’s the thing: It’s been 23 years since gas taxes were raised, and if the tax had been indexed to inflation, it would be higher now than the governor’s proposal will make it. Inflation and more efficient cars have meant that money for road maintenance has fallen far behind the deterioration of our roadways, and we see — and feel — the results every time we drive. The administration claims each California driver now spends about $700 a year in vehicle repairs caused by rough roads.

The package includes a constitutional amendment to be passed by voters to require that all the money is spent as promised. That’s a nod to the fact that Sacramento has for years diverted transportation tax revenue, including truck weight fees, to other purposes. This proposal includes $706 million in loan repayments from the General Fund. There would also be an inspector general to ensure that Caltrans and other agencies use the money efficiently.

Those steps are good, but we need to see another: The Legislature must put a 10-year sunset on the whole package of taxes. Any such taxes should be reviewed periodically, and quick advancements in transportation technology make it even more important in this case. Hyperloop, self-driving cars and other innovations are on the horizon.

Of course, we’d like to see Brown forced to give up his high-speed rail plan and divert the money to real transportation needs. That would make this package a win for everyone.

These tax hikes are essentially user fees, and that’s better than the typical approach to taxes in the state. And paying as we go is better than borrowing.

Of course, there are serious downsides, too.

Drivers’ pocketbooks will be hit, especially poorer drivers with long commutes. Higher diesel prices will be passed along to consumers.

Politically, we’re irked that state leaders have ignored this basic need so very long while spending our taxes on less vital priorities. We can point to all kinds of bad spending decisions through the years at the state level, but that doesn’t make our roads any smoother.

If we let our roads and highways keep deteriorating, our economy eventually will fall into a sinkhole.

Undoubtedly, state taxes are too high, but we need our transportation infrastructure fixed. The governor and his party ought to show good faith and find ways to reduce taxes and spending in other areas of government and prioritize the budget (which is at or near all-time highs) without consistently going back to the public for more money.

Unfortunately, this is a case where we have to swallow hard and pay for the time that’s been lost and the money that’s been spent elsewhere. If voters do not like it, they should vote accordingly during election season.

The following is an editorial submitted to the Modesto Bee written by Stanislaus County Supervisor Vito Chiesa on March 30. To view the original post click here.

California is at a crossroad when it comes to how we fix the highways, roads and bridges in our state and in our hometowns. We can either continue driving on rutted roads full of potholes, or we can decide to fix them and maintain them better so we get a full return on our investment.

That’s why I am urging our local State Senator and Assemblymember to join me in supporting the recently released compromise plan to fix our roads.

Let me tell you how bad things are in Stanislaus County. Historically, we have resurfaced 75 to 100 miles of roadway per year. But because of lack of funding, in the past two years we have only resurfaced 3.5 miles per year. We have had to reduce pothole patching by 50 percent and substantially reduced maintenance for bridges, shoulders and striping.

As a result, Stanislaus County roads are falling apart. Our Pavement Condition Index (developed by the Army Corps of Engineers) is in the 50s on a scale of 0 (failed) to 100 (excellent).

How did we get here? The state taxes every gallon of gasoline 38 cents, using this money as the main source of funds to maintain our streets and roads. But the tax hasn’t increased since 1994. Between inflation, and advancements in vehicle fuel efficiency, we have lost roughly 50 percent of the buying power we used to have.

We need to raise new revenues for roads. Some say that there’s plenty of money in the general fund to pay for road repairs. But with a backlog of repairs standing at $130 billion, that’s not feasible.

We need to invest more in our roads now because letting problems fester only makes them worse and more expensive to fix. The plan announced earlier this week would mean that drivers in California pay about $10 more per month.

That small amount every month makes sense to me as a smart investment because driving on bad roads means I pay far more than that to fix and maintain my personal vehicle and the trucks I use in my farming business; about $750 a year more for each one. If we fix our roads, I won’t have to fix my vehicles as often, and neither will you.

The deal just announced this week by Gov. Jerry Brown and several key lawmakers achieves that goal. Senate Bill 1 will provide cities and counties with an additional $1.5 billion a year to maintain local infrastructure and the same amount to maintain the state highway system.

The plan will generate tens of millions of dollars of new revenue each year so Stanislaus County and our city governments can make road safety improvements, fill potholes and repair local streets, highways, bridges and overpasses.

All for about $10 a month. I think it’s worth it, and projects in Stanislaus County and throughout the San Joaquin Valley get the priority they deserve.

I know that both Senator Anthony Cannella and Assemblymember Adam Gray have been working to ensure that our community gets its fair share. And I hope they continue working with the governor and the bill’s authors to support smart and sustainable public investment in our future.

In addition to new revenues, this state transportation deal also comes with protections and oversight to ensure we’re not handing Sacramento a blank check. The deal contains tough accountability requirements including regular audits and oversight by the new office of the Transportation Inspector General to ensure state lawmakers can’t misspend the money. It also mandates strict constitutional protections to guarantee the money is spent only on transportation projects.